Part 3 (2/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE LION WOUNDED.]

FABLE XXI.

THE a.s.s IN THE LION'S SKIN.

An a.s.s, finding a Lion's skin, disguised himself with it, and ranged about the forest, putting all the beasts that saw him into bodily fear. After he had diverted himself thus for some time, he met a Fox, and, being desirous to frighten him too, as well as the rest, he leapt at him with some fierceness, and endeavoured to imitate the roaring of the Lion.

”Your humble servant,” says the Fox, ”if you had held your tongue, I might have taken you for a Lion, as others did; but now you bray I know who you are.”

MORAL.

A silent man may pa.s.s for a wise man, but when we hear him speak we are able to form an estimate of his value.

FABLE XXII.

JUPITER AND THE FARMER.

'Tis said, that Jove had once a farm to let, And sent down Mercury, his common crier, To make the most that he could get; Or sell it to the highest buyer.

To view the premises the people flocked: And, as 'tis usual in such case, Began to run them down apace; The soil was poor, the farm ill stocked: In short, a barren, miserable place, Scarce worth th' expense to draw a lease.

One bolder, tho' not wiser than the rest, Offered to pay in so much rent, Provided he had Jove's consent To guide the weather just as he thought best; Or wet, or dry; or cold, or hot; Whate'er he asked should be his lot;

To all which Jove gave a consenting nod.

The seasons now obsequious stand, Quick to obey their lord's command, And now the Farmer undertakes the G.o.d; Now calls for suns.h.i.+ne, now for rains, Dispels the clouds, the wind restrains;

But still confined within his farm alone, He makes a climate all his own; For when he sheds, or when he pours, Refres.h.i.+ng dews, or soaking showers,

His neighbours never share a drop; So much the better for their crop; Each glebe a plenteous harvest yields; Whilst our director spoils his fields.

Next year, he tries a different way; New moulds the seasons, and directs again; But all in vain: His neighbour's grounds still thrive while his decay.

What does he do in this sad plight?

For once he acted right: He to the G.o.d his fate bemoaned, Asked pardon, and his folly owned.

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